GO Nakayama's Greco GO Special Feature

 

One day, a red car appeared in front of the store!!
When I took a closer look, it was the president’s car
I ran over and said, “Great job today!!” Then I opened the trunk and was shocked!!
That’s right—the president had just brought in a massive haul of Japanese vintage gear!!
A shipment of this size is extremely rare… The trunk was packed to the brim with vintage instruments I’d never seen before.
We brought the massive shipment of guitars into the store, one by one!!
A few days later,
the boss suddenly gave me an order…
President: "Nakayama!! Try writing a column on the Greco GO series"!!
Me: "Huh...!! Ah, yes... y-yes, I'll do it."
Oh no… I’ve agreed to it…
There’s no turning back now… I have no choice but to do it!!
I was fired up, but I know absolutely nothing about Japan Vintage...
I’ve got to figure this out… I rummage through old catalogs and rare documents… Time to study!!
And so,
my journey into Greco research began!!
This time, the target is the GO series, which enjoys immense popularity and trust among fans of Japanese-made guitars!!
I’ll be sharing the story behind its creation and the wonderful charm of the GO series!!

 

 

Greco is Kanda Shokai’s in-house brand, established in 1960…
In 1963, they began selling electric guitars in earnest, initially outsourcing production to Fujigen.
In the 1970s… a “copycat model war” broke out among guitar manufacturers in the domestic market!!
Amid this fierce competition, Greco also produced numerous iconic copy models!!
Following the EG series—a Les Paul model that boasted phenomenal sales—they released a succession of Gibson-style copy models!!

From the late 1970s, Greco began focusing on producing its own original brand models, and the first generation of the Greco GO series—which still captivates Japanese vintage guitar fans—was born in 1977!!
It subsequently evolved into the GO II and then the GO III, becoming a legendary instrument steeped in history that is still talked about today.

The GO III was developed with the involvement of
Takami Asano, the guitarist of Godiego—who took the world by storm with numerous hits such as "Monkey Magic," "Galaxy Express 999," and "Gandhara"—was involved in its development and is famous for having used it himself!!
At the time, it became the object of admiration for young guitarists everywhere.

We’ll now introduce the GO → GO II → GO III models that have arrived at TCGAKKI, broken down by model.

Greco GO1400DS w/T.S. Vibrato Early Model (1978)

The top-of-the-line model in the GO series!!
Although it is an early model, it is equipped with a T.S. vibrato, and has been retrofitted
.
Carefully selected wood and a luxurious look exude a sense of prestige!!
Equipped with a variety of standard features such as 1 volume, 1 tone, and 3-band EQ,
!!

【SPEC.】
BODY: Sen+Maple+Sen Arched-top
NECK:Maple+Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD:Ebony
PICKUPS:Original PU-3D x2
BRIDGE:T.S. Vibrato *Modified

Gold control cavity plate.

The luxurious gold adjustment cover features
the words "Speed Way"!!

The position markers are brass rings,
and we’ve selected domestic ebony (striped ebony)!!

The controls feature a 3-band
equalizer.

Amidst the complex wiring, it features an active circuit board,
, allowing for a wide variety of sound variations
.

It is equipped with the original PU-3D pickup.
This model features an ivory pickup cover and isan early production model. The T.S. vibrato, which isstandard on later models, has been modified.Newly developed for the GO series, it features12 polepieces and allows for fine-tuning with a hex wrench!!

Greco GO II 950NT, 1979

The top-of-the-line model released at the end of the GO II series!!
The body is crafted from select walnut and mahogany!!
Equipped with two switches—Mode and Phase — allowing fora diverse range of 16 different sounds!!
Equipped with a T.S. vibrato as standard, this model features three single-coil pickups.

The GO II 550 and GO II 750 feature dual humbucker configurations

【SPEC.】
BODY: Walnut + Mahogany + Walnut
NECK: Maple + Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
PICKUPS: Original PU-250 x3
BRIDGE: T.S. Vibrato

Speedway neck with a matte finish.
As a top-of-the-line model, it features the finest materials.

The GO II features a 6-string headstock,
The headstock has been redesigned with a 6-string Strat-style configuration.

The fingerboard is made of high-quality black ebony.

The front and rear pickups share a single volume control,while the center pickup has an independent volume control.Tone control.
Equipped witha mode switch for the center pickup(2 singles / half-tone / series) and phasecontrol.

It features a simpler passive circuit compared to the original GO.

The GO II is equipped with three single-coil pickups.
The #GOⅡ550 and GOⅡ750 feature two humbucker pickups (
).

Greco GO III 1500N, manufactured in 1979

T.S. vibrato is standard equipment, and the pickup configuration is HSH.
The GO III was developed with the involvement of Godiego guitarist Koji Asano, leading to significant advancements.
It is affectionately known as the "Asano Model."

【SPEC.】
BODY: Maple arched-top
NECK: Maple + Walnut 7-piece Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
PICKUPS: Original PU-3D x2, PU-250 x1
CONTROLS: MV-3V-3T-6-way switch
BRIDGE: T.S. Vibrato

Features select maple with visible grain, archtop design.

The headstock has become slightly more angular and simpler compared to the first-generation GO

The ebony fingerboard features beautiful, ornate arabesque inlays.

Although not found on the original, a boost switch has been added. Each pickup has separate Volume and Tone controls, and the guitar is equipped with a 6-way rotary switch offering a wide variety of sounds.

The cavity houses a battery for the aftermarket boost
.

The front and rear pickups are the "PU-3D" pickups, shared with the later-model GO.
The center pickup is the "PU-250" with fixed pole pieces.

Greco GO II 1000DS, manufactured in 1979

Greco’s first 12-string model—a truly rare gem!!
The basic specs are the same as the 750, with a solid cedar body.
The double strings add depth to the sound, creating a rich, full-bodied tone that is truly captivating!!

【SPEC.】
BODY: Solid Sen
NECK: Maple + Mahogany Speedway-neck
FINGERBOARD: Rosewood
PICKUPS: Original PU-250 x3

Black aluminum backplate.
The absence of a tremolo cover gives it a clean, uncluttered look.

The 12-string model features a volute to maintain neck strength.

The fingerboard is made of select rosewood with simple dot inlays.

A toggle switch selects between the front and rear pickups; by combining this with the center pickup, variations not found on a Stratocaster—such as "front + rear" or "front + center + rear"—are possible.

Since the specs are nearly identical to the '50 model, the cavity interior is quite simple.

No sustain plate is mounted. The bridge saddles have two notches. It is equipped with three "PU-250" pickups.

GOAT Original


, a replacement tremolo arm for the Greco GO Blower T.S. Vibrato

We have crafted an arm bar for Greco’s original floating tremolo unit, the “T.S. Vibrato.” Our craftsmanship brings to life its beautiful shape and texture, featuring a unique curve.
Since this is a model from nearly 40 years ago, many of you may have given up on finding one. That’s why TC Gakki, with our deep love and respect for Japanese vintage instruments, has recreated this ultra-niche part to coincide with this column. Available in nickel and gold.

Price
Nickel: 5,000 yen (excluding tax)
Gold: 6,000 yen (excluding tax)

 

What did you think?
This was our special feature on the GRECO GO Series!!

Currently, the reputation of Japanese vintage guitars is rapidly rising overseas, and their market value is skyrocketing.

Maybe you’ll find that guitar you’ve always dreamed of owning—the one you’ve been saying, “I’ll get my hands on it someday”—right here at TCGAKKI!?
We also have a wide selection of vintage Japanese guitars from other brands in stock, so please come visit our store to hunt for some hidden gems.
Of course, we also welcome inquiries by phone!!
Our entire staff looks forward to seeing you.

 

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